Steam on demand

Electrical Power & Protection

January 2025 Electrical Power & Protection

According to Allmech, a leading South African manufacturer of boilers and supplier of water treatment components, rental boilers are increasingly popular, offering the convenience of on-demand power and heat without the commitment of a permanent installation. Senior boiler technician, Theo Boshoff explains that rental boilers are an ideal solution while a customer awaits repairs, or only needs a boiler for a particular period, or does not have the capital to invest upfront.

“When a client’s electrode boiler shell required repairs recently, we were able to provide a rental unit Model A-200S Allmech Electrode steam boiler,” Boshoff says. “One of the primary advantages of providing a rental boiler to this client was that we were able to minimise downtime. Our client, a leading supplier of gases, welding and safety products in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, faced a critical situation. By offering a rental boiler, we ensured that its production line continued to operate seamlessly, avoiding any disruption to their business processes.”

Halting operations due to boiler repairs can lead to substantial financial losses. In this case, Allmech’s client was able to avoid these costs by using a rental boiler. “The rental solution proved to be more cost-effective than the potential losses associated with a complete shutdown,” says Boshoff. “Rental boilers offer flexibility and can be tailored to meet specific needs. Our client required a temporary solution for a period of approximately three months. We provided a rental boiler that matched its operational requirements, ensuring it had the necessary capacity and efficiency during the repair period.”

Another benefit of the rental option is that it includes maintenance and support services. “Our team provided technical expertise for the repair of the old shell, and completed the installation and the water treatment of the rental boiler. This ensured that the temporary boiler operated efficiently and that any issues were promptly addressed. This gave the client the peace of mind that came with reliable support throughout the rental period.”

A rental boiler can be used for several different reasons, including increased steam requirements, peak/seasonal demand, planned maintenance, equipment retrofits, research and development projects, or emergency repairs. In another instance, Allmech supplied a Model A-200S Allmech Electrode steam boiler capable of producing 318 kg steam per hour (the client required 160 kg/h) as a rental unit in the water treatment industry.

“The requirements were that we heat water from 20 to 65°C. We provided a rental boiler that matched these operational requirements, with a maximum working pressure of 10 bar, ensuring the client had the necessary capacity and efficiency during the production period,” says Boshoff.

Using a rental boiler during repair periods not only helps maintain operational continuity, but also provides cost savings, flexibility, and peace of mind. In the boiler industry, a one-size-fits-all solution does not exist. This is why rental boilers come in various types, sizes and designs to cater to the diverse needs of commercial and industrial facilities. These rental boilers are maintained to the highest standards and undergo frequent testing to ensure optimal performance with minimal monitoring. They are reliable, standalone and stable units. Allmech offers rental units with capacities ranging from 45 to 318 kg of steam per hour.

Share this article:

Electrical Power & Protection

Steam on demand

Further reading:

Published by Technews